The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-19

presented the monument to the Grand Lodge or
Indiana. He said that he did so on behalf of the
contributors of over thirty States, and Terri
tories, and provinces a grateful tribute OF the
women of the order TO the memory OF one who
was their friend and advocated their cause TO
successful issue.
Grand Master A. N. Grant in receiving the
monument for the L o. O. F. of Indiana, made
brief and graceful speech, speaking of the
great services given by Mr.. Colfax to the order,
and especially Of his services in establishing the
Degree of Rebekah
John III. White, grand sire of the Sovereign
Grand Lodge, was the next speaker. He said 1T
was a singular fact that the Indianapolis order
of Odd-fellows the first and only civic and
fraternal association that has ever erected in
this country any tablet or monument consecrated
to tho memory of it's eminent members. On
Sept. 20, 1865, there was unveiled on North
Broadway Square. in the city OF Baltimore,
splendid shaft surmouuted by statue of Charity
memorial to Thomas Wildey. the father and
founder of American Odd fellowship. This
monument was erected at an expense of over
ST., 000,' exclusively from the voluntary contribu-
tons of the lodges, encampments and members
of the order Again, on the 22d of Septem Der,
1885. at Harlem Square, IN the same city of Bal
tmore. statue was unveiled, which was also
erected exclusively from the voluntary contribu-
tons of Odd-fellows. at expense of 500 900, in
honor of the great and good Thomas IL.
most the creator of the order, which
now numbers 500, 900 members, mostly
within the United States and Territories and the
Dominion of Canada. but to some extent scat
tered over the civilized world. To-day, this
18th day of May. 1887, at the city of Indianapo-
lis, the capital of the State Of his adoption.
members of the order were assembled in the per-
formaLce of like act in stripping from its crest
the covering which conceais from view the line
aments of the form and features of him who was
second to none in the affections of the people of
his adopted State-the noble, generous, warm
hearted. whole souled Schuyler Colfax. 1--WE
love Colfax the author of that ritual made for
the benefit of our wives and daughters, and
which is called the Degree of Rebekah. We love
him specially because, notwithstanding he
called to many positions of trust in the govern
ment; Notwithstanding all the trials and perplex-
tiles incident to his career as Representative
Congress and Speaker of the House during the
terrible ordeal through which our beloved coun-
try passed from 1861 to 1865; Notwithstanding
he was elected to and filled the second
highest Office In the gift of fifty million free and
enlightened Americans; yet, unlike too many of
the great men OF our time who receive their first
lessons in parliamentary law in the Odd-fellows'
lodge, and get their first in the world
through its influence, he never forgot that he
an Odd-fellow.
SCHUYLER Colfax was born in the city of New
York, March %, 1923 his father having died
shortly previous to his birth. When thirteen
years old, with his devoted mother and his step
father Geo. w. Matthews he removed to north
ern Indiana and was clerk in his step-fathers
store After time he took up the study of law
but he had little taste for &C. and was never ad
mitted to the bar. He naturally drifted into
writing articles for the newspapers. and. from
1S45. for several years edited the ST. Joseph VAL
ley Register. which he continued to do with sig
nal ability for several years. He was admitted
to the Order of Odd fellows in South Bend
Lodge. No. 20. in March, 1876 When elected
to the Grand Lodge of the United States
he was the youngest man that had ever been
elected to that body, and for nearly ten years
while he remained Representative-he welded
a magic and potent influence. The Degree of
Rebekah. which is the exclusive work of
Schuyler Colfax's hand, was prepared by him
and submitted at the Grand Lodge session at
Baltimore in September, 1851, and then
adopted. To the Daughters of Rebekah is to be
ascrbed the credit for the building of this beauti
full monument, which for long years, is to
adorn and beautify this enterprising city of In
dianapolis. They originated the measure and
carried it through. and the people of this city
and State ought to be grateful to them and to
the Odd-felows that they have done
In conclusion. remember that you work not for
yourselves alone. but for posterity. You have
erected noble monument a great and good
man. Cherish his memory and initiate his ex-
ample, so that when your allotted time shall
have expired and you shall come to lie down to
rest forever you may be loved and honored as
you now love and revere the memory of
Schuyler Colfax.1
The last speaker ex-Lieutenant- governor
Bross, of Illinois, old friend of Mr.. Colfax,
but not member of the order. He spoke
briefly. but Interestingly of his intimate
quaintance with him in whose honor the monu-
ment erected. He spoke of trip across
the continent with him, in 1865. accompanied by
A. ID. Richardson and Samuel Bowles, riding in
a stage coach from the Missouri river to within
nine miles of Sacramento. Cal, always day and
night to find him the same kindly. courteous
mantle highest example of Christian gem
tleman.
This speech closed the exercises of the day.